Seeing hazards early: road hazards and move-over laws

Review questions with answers

1. What is a hazard?
   1. Any crash that has already happened
   2. A road sign that warns of a curve
   3. Any road condition or road user that could be a danger
   4. Any vehicle that is driving faster than you
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   Any road condition or road user that could be a danger

   A hazard is any road condition or other road user (driver, cyclist, pedestrian) that is a possible danger.

2. A car slowing near an exit suddenly cuts back in front of you. At that moment it has become:
   1. An emergency
   2. A minor hazard
   3. A conflict that is already solved
   4. A normal lane change
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   An emergency

   When the hazard actually cuts in front of you, it is no longer just a possible danger; it is an emergency.

3. Why is it important to see hazards before they become emergencies?
   1. So you can sound your horn longer
   2. So you can drive faster past them
   3. So you do not need to use mirrors
   4. So you have time to act calmly instead of suddenly
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   So you have time to act calmly instead of suddenly

   Seeing hazards early gives you time to check mirrors, signal, change lanes or slow down. Sudden braking or swerving is much more likely to cause a crash.

4. Which reaction is MOST likely to lead to a crash?
   1. Slowing down early when you see a hazard
   2. A sudden hard brake or quick lane change
   3. Checking your mirrors before a lane change
   4. Signaling well before changing lanes
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   A sudden hard brake or quick lane change

   Sudden moves give other drivers no warning and can make you lose control. Planned, early moves are safer.

5. You see a police car stopped on the shoulder with lights flashing. If it is safe, you should:
   1. Keep your speed and lane
   2. Speed up to pass quickly
   3. Slow down and move to a lane not next to the police car
   4. Stop in your lane behind the police car
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   Slow down and move to a lane not next to the police car

   Move-over laws require you to slow down and, when safe, change into a lane not next to the stopped emergency vehicle.

6. You approach a work zone, but traffic makes a lane change unsafe. What should you do?
   1. Stay in your lane, slow down, and keep a safe speed for conditions
   2. Change lanes anyway because the law requires it
   3. Stop completely until the lane next to you is empty
   4. Use the shoulder to get around the work zone
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   Stay in your lane, slow down, and keep a safe speed for conditions

   If moving over is not safe, slow down and proceed with caution at a safe speed for traffic conditions.

7. When driving through a work zone, how can you warn drivers behind you?
   1. Flash your high beams at them
   2. Sound your horn continuously
   3. Turn on your interior cab light
   4. Use your four-way flashers or brake lights
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   Use your four-way flashers or brake lights

   Drive slowly near work zones and use four-way flashers or brake lights to warn the drivers behind you.

8. Driving too close to a sharp pavement drop-off at the road edge can:
   1. Improve traction on the right tires
   2. Tilt the vehicle so its top may hit signs or tree limbs
   3. Cause the brakes to get wet
   4. Make the vehicle easier to steer
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   Tilt the vehicle so its top may hit signs or tree limbs

   A drop-off can tip the vehicle toward the roadside, so the top can strike roadside objects, and steering across the drop-off is hard.

9. You see an empty-looking cardboard box in your lane. What is the best way to think about it?
   1. It is harmless, so drive over it
   2. It is safe to straddle it with your dual tires
   3. It may contain something heavy; avoid it without sudden, unsafe moves
   4. Brake hard immediately to stop before it
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   It may contain something heavy; avoid it without sudden, unsafe moves

   Boxes and sacks may hold heavy or solid material. See objects early so you can avoid them without sudden, unsafe moves.

10. Objects that fall on the road can get caught between dual tires and cause:
    1. Severe damage
    2. Better braking
    3. Lower tire temperature
    4. Higher fuel economy
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    Severe damage

    Foreign objects can damage tires, rims, electrical and brake lines, and cause severe damage when caught between duals.

11. The speed limit posted on an off ramp:
    1. Is the minimum speed for trucks
    2. Always applies to heavy vehicles only
    3. Is set for trucks, so cars should go slower
    4. May be safe for cars but too fast for large or heavily loaded vehicles
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    May be safe for cars but too fast for large or heavily loaded vehicles

    Ramp speeds may be safe for cars but not for larger or heavily loaded vehicles.

12. Which kind of exit ramp is especially dangerous for a commercial vehicle?
    1. A straight, level ramp
    2. One that goes downhill and curves at the same time
    3. One with a long acceleration lane
    4. One with a posted speed limit
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    One that goes downhill and curves at the same time

    A downhill curve makes it hard to slow down, and braking while turning is risky.

13. Before you reach the curved part of an off ramp you should:
    1. Already be going slowly enough
    2. Shift to neutral to coast
    3. Speed up to keep momentum
    4. Brake hard in the middle of the curve
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    Already be going slowly enough

    Make sure you are slow enough before entering the curve; braking and turning together is dangerous.

14. In a work zone, other drivers tend to drive more safely than usual. True or False?
    1. True
    2. False
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    False

    False. Other drivers in work zones are often distracted and drive unsafely, so you must be extra careful.